I can hardly believe summer is over! I will be happy to settle back into regular routines again. Here is Quinton leaving for his first day of school - yesterday! He's in fifth grade this year, growing up so fast!

A recently baptized girl from Bronson's mission came down for Education Week. We went together and had a great week. Trudi was very nice and it was fun to get to know her. I always want to attend Education Week, but usually feel too busy. I certainly feel blessed to have certain things work out for my benefit in spite of myself. I enjoyed an inspired, motivational week with a new friend - what more could I ask for?

Quinton, Carson and I drove back from Colorado, picked up Whitney, Brinley and Tula and went straight up to Bear Lake. I feel exhausted from too much go… go… go…! But it was a good time and Quinton was very glad to see Zach. Again, I didn't get my camera out except for these pictures on the beach - maybe just too tired!

For some reason I have been obsessed with the sky lately - sunsets and clouds!

Quinton went with Kari Ann and Terri to Colorado 3-4 days before I came out. The idea was for him to help watch these two cuties while Terri helped Kari Ann with the twins. For the most part, I think everyone had a great time including Quinton and Bode, who played in the ditches everyday. It certainly looks as if Bode loves Quinton - and I know Quinton feels the same way!

When I arrived it was time to go to work - building a treehouse here in this tree, with and for these two helpers! They were very excited to start working and were very disappointed when we kept getting rained in at the cabin and couldn't go retrieve the materials we needed to work. We did have a great time as the three of us were stuck at the cabin for many days together. They made videos, we taught Carson how to play "Hand and Foot", we danced and danced, they played with the toys and they watched a fair share of movies. My only regret is that I failed to get my camera out and take the normal "million" pictures of our 2 week adventures.

One day, on our many treks to the "treehouse tree" it down-poured on us. The grass was almost waist deep and very wet - you can imagine how wet we were! It was a fun and exciting adventure none-the-less. Here is Quinton and Carson trying to get better cover from the rain in a grove of oak brush next to our tree.

I realize that Whitney will be mortified at this horribly blurry picture of Conner showing his steer at the County Fair. I just couldn't get a good picture and so this will have to do. The one day we went down to town to watch Conner sell his steer, we actually were stuck in town overnight because of the rain. It was well worth it - a very fun auction. Carson and Quinton played back where all the animals were kept. Quinton now thinks that he wants his own pig next year - like Carson.

I went irrigating with my dad and caught him enjoying his conversation with Terri!

Jamie decided to come out to help us with the treehouse. I was very grateful for his help, it really did speed the process. We still have a lot of work before it is finished, but Carson and Quinton are very excited, even with what we were able to do - and that makes it all worth it! Here's dad and Sandy with Jamie. Whitney and Tula also came with Jamie, and it was fun for them to be there with us for a few days as well.

Jamie and Quinton were working on the yard when Jamie saw this rat staring at him. He told Quinton to quickly retrieve the bb gun. When Quinton came back the rat ran into the garage and Jamie shot it. As we looked at it, we realized that normal rats have smooth tails and most likely would've behaved differently. As you can see it is very big in comparison to Quinton's foot - and it is also very cute (sad)! We are thinking that it was probably someone's pet rat (even sadder)! I hope whoever it belongs to doesn't get on here and see their poor dead pet!